Fraud

Fraud and abuse are any intentional actions which result in a recipient or provider receiving benefits or payments to which they are not entitled.

The Fraud Unit is responsible for investigating allegations of fraud for all programs where benefits are issued. Investigations are conducted by using office contacts, home visits, and collateral contacts. The Fraud Unit initiates the process for recovering restitution where benefits are received as the result of fraud or unintended household error.

A few examples of recipient fraud include:

Providing false or incomplete information to the Department of Social Services at either the application or re-certification phase.

Falsely reporting that a parent is absent from the household.

Falsely reporting that a child is in the household.

Listing a non-relative as a family member in order to obtain benefits.

Intentionally failing to report a change in the household composition.

Intentionally failing to report earnings from employment or monies received from unemployment, disability or social security.

By preventing, detecting, deterring, and prosecuting fraud for those who obtain public aid they are not entitled to, the Fraud Unit protects the interests of those in genuine need and conserves taxpayer resources.